He treated them with more civility than they bestowed on him, but it was the courtesy of a superior who would not assert himself, who would scorn to thrust himself forward or in any way to claim what was his by right, if it were not freely offered.

Marietta drew back a little, so that she could just see him between the flowers, without being seen.
He stood still, looking down at the canal till the last of the men had passed in.

Then, before he went on, he raised his eyes slowly to Marietta's window, not guessing that her own were answering his from behind the rosemary and the geranium.

His pale face was very sad and thoughtful as he looked up.

She had never seen him look so tired.